Intercity Transit awards surplus vans to four local organizations 

Intercity Transit awarded four retired vanpool vans to community organizations, as part of its annual van grant program, the agency announced on May 22.  

The vehicles have been retired due to their mileage and years of use. The vans will continue to serve the area by supporting local organizations that were selected through a competitive review process. 

The four organizations are Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, Wee Love Learning Early Learning Center, Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative and City Gates Ministries. 

According to Intercity Transit, several of the organizations will use the vans to address transportation barriers and ensure consistent access for people, who would otherwise be unable or find it difficult to participate in their programs. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County will use its van to provide transportation for members during evening and weekend programs, college visits and career exploration events. 

Wee Love Learning Early Learning Center, which provides full-day child care and early learning programs, will use its van to help parents get their kids to day care. 

Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative, which supports survivors of sex and labor trafficking, will use its van to provide safe transportation for survivors, allowing the organization to respond more quickly to urgent situations and reduce missed appointments. 

City Gates Ministries will use its van to help people get access to medical and recovery services, as well as help them get to their job or training.